I wanted to give a big thanks to those that help our growing generation along this path of life. To our parents/guardians, counsellors, family and friends. As we grow and progress we sometimes forget those certain people that whether you think of them often or not, were one of the biggest parts of our growth and who gave us the strive to succeed. The teachers throughout our P-12 school years. HRM has some of the smartest, most driven teachers I have ever seen. We are truly blessed to have the opportunities we have. Particularly (in my own personal experiences) the amazing group of teachers at Rockingstone Heights Elementary School, and JL Ilsley High School are to be commended for their efforts at bettering the student experiences and helping to ensure we left every classroom with pride and the drive to succeed to the best of our abilities.

RHES teachers, two specifically (you know who you are) that helped me along the way (I was not always a model pupil) and never stopped believing in me or any other student that walked through those front doors. No matter what the issue, problem or concern, they always had time to talk to you, offer advice and help you along the way. Truly amazing.

JL Ilsley High, again two teachers that hold a special place in my heart and life, if it wasn’t for these special teachers and the many more like them I don’t know where I would be today. Our math teacher always made learning mathematics fun, though I struggled some of the time, the encouragements never ceased. To date (4 years since I finished high school), I still study and learn as much about the ways of mathematicians as I am capable. Math along with the skills our semi-retired (but still hip!) AIT teacher helped me achieve in computer classes, I use daily in my workplace.

So a HUGE thank you, to those who classrooms we pass through, you truly are amazing men, women, teachers, enablers and mentors and you deserve to be recognized for everything you do! —Your fudge-loving, seminar going little girl, who's all grown up

To the lovely gentleman who shared a smile, a handshake, friendly conversation, and an apple. Your small but kind gesture meant a lot, thank you. You are a perfect example of why I love this city so much. —So Good With PB

Thanks for sitting across from me on the 80, the way we exchanged looks and smiled to one another. Wondering if we could potentially be thinking the same wonderful thoughts. Those thoughts/hopes keep me going on a daily basis. —Everything I Do, I Do Because I Love

To the girl whose car was hit by my car door on Sunday at the mall: I apologize. I realize your frustration and in hindsight realize I may not have been empathetic to the situation as I get nervous in the face of confrontation. It was not handled well on my part. I apologize again and please know I was not aware it had touched as I was trying to quickly get my baby in out of the wind. I will be more careful. I promise I'm not really a bitch. —I'm Sorry

Thank you small scale producers for standing your ground, your principles, and for not selling out to the glam and the glitz of what's trendy and new. You're living true sustainability, the way it ought to be. —Small Makes a Difference

Thank you so much for being such wonderful hosts when 20-something swing dancers invaded you after the show. We arrived 30 minutes before closing and we were a loud, excited lot. Your service was fantastic and so was the food. It was a perfect end to a very long day for many of us! Thanks again for your awesome customer service! —LindyHop4Life

I want to thank you for Friday night. For holding me, for tickling me to make me laugh, for staying the night. For hinting to me that maybe we both want the same thing. Maybe next time I won't be so scared to tell you how I feel. I wish desperately that you asked me to go with you tonight, but I know we'll have our time. Thank you for always being there. Thank you for making this place a better place. —Your crazy girl

I envy you. You have great friends, they're loyal and funny, and you're the kind of kid I wanted to be. You're pretty, funny, and popular. I feel so bad for you. We moved from a good neighbourhood to a ghetto before you had the chance to become a real person. Now you're on your way, and I am terrified of who you're becoming. It almost affected me, too, but I was old enough to understand the social suffering going on around me and set my sights on university instead. These kids who live with their mom and their mom's drug-dealing boyfriend who kicks them out so they have to move out of town in the middle of the night without telling a soul (Three times this has happened already! Three!) are sadly probably never going to amount to anything, because they don't know what the world can offer them besides a life of defacing public property, welfare cheques, and drug dealing at the skateboard park. Please, please, little sister. Be more than these kids. Work on your math grade and stick with your dream of veterinary school. I'll pay for it myself. P.S. You couldn't pay me a million dollars to raise my kids here. —Love, Concerned Older Sister

You were a wonderful addition to our Friday night. You came with kumquats, supersized straws & friendly banter. Thanks. —From the ladies

But ballers gonna ball, you pick up what I'm layin down? Good times in the 902, we party like nowhere else. —The Young and the Restless